* Animal
Posted on October 21st, 2008 by nooan. Filed under animal.
an·i·mal /?æn?m?l/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[an-uh-muhl] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. any member of the kingdom Animalia, comprising multicellular organisms that have a well-defined shape and usually limited growth, can move voluntarily, actively acquire food and digest it internally, and have sensory and nervous systems that allow them to respond rapidly to stimuli: some classification schemes also include protozoa and certain other single-celled eukaryotes that have motility and animallike nutritional modes.
2. any such living thing other than a human being.
3. a mammal, as opposed to a fish, bird, etc.
4. the physical, sensual, or carnal nature of human beings; animality: the animal in every person.
5. an inhuman person; brutish or beastlike person: She married an animal.
6. thing: A perfect job? Is there any such animal?
–adjective
7. of, pertaining to, or derived from animals: animal instincts; animal fats.
8. pertaining to the physical, sensual, or carnal nature of humans, rather than their spiritual or intellectual nature: animal needs.
[Origin: 1300–50; ME (< OF) < L, n. deriv. (with loss of final vowel and shortening of ?) of anim?le, neut. of anim?lis living, animate, equiv. to anim(a) air, breath + -?lis -al1; E adj. also directly < L anim?lis]
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